World Tour

Brisbane: Belle

Eddy couldn't remember when he'd last had such a peaceful night's sleep. Wow. Was that really all it took, a day in the middle of nowhere, one day of no responsibilities and lots of outside air?
He stretched out cosily under the white sheets and turned his head so he could look at Brett's face as he slept. His black eyelashes were fanned softly over his cheeks and his face was relaxed, his cheeks slightly flushed with the warmth of the comforter. 
As if he could sense being watched he opened his eyes and smiled at Eddy. 
¨Hey you¨ he whispered. 
¨Hey yourself¨, Eddy replied as he leant over to kiss him, snuggling into him for just a moment. ¨We should get up if we want to see that beach again!¨

After breakfast they did walk along the beach again, and Eddy could see the difference in Brett's eyes. He looked calmer. Stronger. Less pale as well, actually. It made something in Eddy's chest relax, seeing him like that. 
¨How are you feeling?¨ he asked cautiously, as he picked up a small stone and threw it into the surf.
Brett looked at him intently and smiled. ¨I really am better. I think your silly exercise with the twig put some stuff into perspective. All those thoughts that drag me down, they're not real. They're just thoughts. I hope I can remember that once we're back home and all the responsibilities are back.¨
Eddy breathed a silent sigh of relief, letting Brett's words sink in. It was so, so good to hear Brett say that. 
¨I'm very glad, Brett, and I will happily remind you if I need to. Just tell me when it comes back, okay?¨
Brett grinned. ¨And you'll find a twig?¨
Eddy laughed out loud. ¨They have invented twigs in Brisbane, you know. I'm sure I can find one if necessary.¨
Brett was still grinning, but his tone was serious as he told him:
¨Thank you Eddy, for this.¨

They walked hand in hand along the beach, savouring the feeling of privacy, until they knew it was time to drive back. They packed up and said their fond goodbyes to the lovely couple who owned the B&B, promising to come back soon. 

¨Hey, mates! I've fucked it all up, you're business is kaputt!¨ Ibo said, precariously leaning out of the first story window the second they pulled up in front of his apartment. 
Eddy grinned and got out of the car, waiting for Ibo to open the door.
¨Sure you did, Ibo. How did it go?¨
Ibo shot him a look as if he was an idiot. ¨What do you think? Fine, of course.¨
Ibo quickly took them through the details of what had happened over the weekend. And indeed, he'd done fine by himself.
¨Did you have fun?¨ he asked after handing over the laptop. 
¨Yeah, it was awesome. We owe you big time, Ibo¨ Brett answered. 
¨Nah, you don't owe me shit. Just let me know when you need some more help.¨
 Ibo really was the best friend a guy could ask for. 

They'd only just walked into their apartment and put their bags down when the doorbell rang.
Eddy walked to open it, and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw a very dishevelled looking Belle standing on the doorstep.
¨Belle!¨ he said in shock. ¨What's up?¨
She burst into the house, kicked her shoes off and sat down on the couch, putting her head in her hands.
¨Belle! Talk to me!¨ he said as he sat down next to her.
She looked at him, her eyes full of some unnamed emotion and opened and closed her mouth a few times, as if she was struggling to know what to say.
¨Belle, what the fuck is going on?¨
Eddy was really starting to get worried now. He saw Brett coming into the room from the corner of his eye and shot him a panicked look as his sister inhaled deeply and spoke at last.
¨Right, guys. It's gonna be me.¨ 
Eddy's brows furrowed. ¨What? What's gonna be you?¨
She dropped her hands in her lap and looked up at both them, tears rolling down her cheeks now.
¨I... I'm offering to be your surrogate, guys.¨